Mourinho slams United as they hand title to City

16 April 2018

While there has always been an inevitability about Manchester City's fifth top-tier league title in English football, even manager Pep Guardiola probably never envisaged the ease with which it would ultimately be achieved.

Pep Guardiola's side won the league with five games to spare, but in a manner most unexpected after a slip-up by their city rivals.

By completing the job after 33 games, City have emulated the achievement of United, who secured the crown with the same number of matches to spare in 2001.

It is the second earliest date that the Premier League title has been sealed and City could still set several records before the end of an impressive campaign.

"The first time you win it, you think you'll win all of them", said Kompany.

It's not just two games, it's about the course of the season and the quality football that City have played game after game.

"The first time you think you are going to win all of them and the first time you lose it you think you are never going to win it again". It was always a matter of when rather than if City would be champions after they led the way for most of the season.

There's also the way that their football has been so good, and of such a high and genuinely unique level, that it feels like they should achieve something historic - like a points record - to properly symbolise that; to give it the special resonance it deserves.

West Brom had lost eight of their previous nine games and last won on Jan 13.

"I've never been able to retain the title so I want to see if this team has got it in them to carry on and be even more successful".

The club captain, a solid figure in centre of the team's defence, and also the official Club "Player of the Year" for four consecutive seasons, Dunne was a central figure in the pre-ADUG Man City team.

"The moment he can (improve) his average chances to score a goal, he will become one of the best players in the world", Guardiola said after the Saturday evening kick-off. They've been by far the best team in the league. I'm sure they are differences to how we play today compared to Bayern and Barcelona, we survive and live by the strength of the team. It's good for the Premier League as well.